The answer to that question should be irrelevant to us. What Mr. Houghton did or did not do is not our business, and the only thing we should be focused on is praying for his family. What this news should do is convict us to look at our own lives, and determine if we are placing idols before God.
It hurts my heart when I hear religious people say, "your gift will make room for you", and I would like to know where in God's Word is that scripture found? What basis of theology created this twisted thought of what our gift, calling, or ministry can do? If we believe that statement then we will become burnt out, frustrated and ultimately quit a ministry while blaming God or our lack. Just listen or ask someone about how things are going in their life, and if they are truly honest you'll have a chance to encourage them to seek God above their "calling".
Another thing I hear all the time from individuals is that they aren't "perfect" or they are "just human", and can't do everything like Jesus. This shows that they are contradicting themselves since they are actually trying to do everything themselves, to make room for their calling, and they become overworked to force blessings. Isn't that doing everything yourself? If we admit to just being human, which isn't Biblical, then how do we think that we should just keep pushing based on our own strength. The Living Word of God says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
18 Bible Verses about Being Filled With The Spirit
This is another reference to the fact that at physical expiration, the Spirit, the real person, vacates the body and heads for its Eternal destination. The Scripture also says, “To depart and be with Christ is far better.” (Philippians 1:23) Notice two things here. First we have another reference to the fact that the human spirit can actually “depart” the human body. Second, we see that to depart the human body, for the Christian, is not just “better” but “far” better. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11) If we rely entirely and completely on the Spirit of God then we won't have time to talk about how difficult our life is.
I want to be a more serious-minded Christian, more detached from this world, more ready for heaven than I have ever been in my whole life. I want an ear that is sharp to know the voice of the enemy, whether it comes from religion, politics, or philosophy...I would rather stand and have everybody my enemy than to go along with the crowd to destruction. Do you feel that way? A.W. Tozer
Francis Chan Challenges Christians:
Stop Idolizing Family, Put Christ's Mission First
Many Christians have lost their edge — their radical, burning fire for Christ, says preacher and author Francis Chan, a firm believer that while family is important, the mission of the Kingdom of God should come first.
In a video message recently shared by ChurchLeaders.com, Chan says that after many Christians get married they place Christ's mission on the back burner, spending their days in the bubble of relationships, children and the comfort of security. The preacher challenges married Christians to stoke the flames of their passion for Christ and his work, and to step out of their comfort zones to take more risks to further His Kingdom.
The biggest purpose of the Spirit is to make us more like God, and if God is being sought after above all things then everything in our life will fall into place.
Nehemiah was a person who lived with an ongoing awareness of the presence of the Lord, and who highly valued the importance of communion with God. Are we that concerned with God? Is our church concerned? Do we care to ask the tough questions and seek God transparently?
In the last two generations of church teaching regarding marriage roles we have been told that marriage and family come first. This mind-set has led us to assume a theology that puts marriage and family members before God.
Unfortunately, when marriage is the primary relational focus rather than relationship with and obedience to God, it becomes subject to the will and weakness of its partners. The consequences are often unfruitful for home and heaven.
These traditions help to misplace single and divorced persons, particularly women, in the church. They also disable believers who are experiencing dissension at home.
This is not the teaching of Jesus or the apostles. Marital tranquility is not a prerequisite for anointing!
Perhaps the greatest error of the religious philosophy of marriage first is that it emphasizes marriage over the greatest commandment: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matt. 22:37, NIV). If this commandment is in place in the life of a believer all other issues find their proper importance. Curated from charismamag.com.
“You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12 GW)
Romans 11:36 says, “Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory” (NLT).
Some people say, “I have so much, and yet I feel unfulfilled. I’ve got a good family. I’ve got a good job. I’ve got great kids. I’ve got good friends. I’ve got a good congregation to be a part of. Why am I so unfulfilled?” It’s because we were made for more than this! We were made for more than survival. We will never find fulfillment in life until we begin to live in God’s Kingdom, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.
How do you live a fulfilled life — the kind of life that you were designed by God to live? Only through putting the Word of God, the Spirit of God and Prayer before everything and anything in your life daily. I am not here to tell you how that looks in your life, but if you honestly and earnestly ask the Spirit it will be revealed to you.
